When it is thriving and healthy, public transportation can serve as an economic driver for an entire region. According to the American Public Transportation Association, long-term investment in public transit generates a 5-to-1 economic return. Accordingly, state, city and local governments are always considering ways to improve public transportation and boost ridership.
Technology can play a valuable role where this is concerned, enabling governments to enhance the services they provide and compete more effectively with alternative modes of transportation. Now that increased funding for public transportation is available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), governments have a unique opportunity to make timely investments that will have a transformative impact on the communities they serve and help enhance existing infrastructure with the right connectivity.